NITROGEN IN AGRICULTURE. 307 



duced in large amounts during tliunder-storms, when disrup- 

 tive discharges of electrical force are constant and powerful ; 

 and during cyclones and tornadoes the production must be 

 immense. 



I have only to add, that, in the view of many chemists, the 

 electrical influences in the soil promote the fixation of free 

 nitrogen to certain substances ; and hence supplies of nitro- 

 genous aliment reach plants through this agency. It is tol- 

 erably certain that this view is correct; but, to how great 

 extent this change is carried, we do not know. We do know 

 that through the process of nitrification, so called, nitrogen 

 in soils under peculiar conditions is forced into combination 

 with the alkaline bases, potash, soda, and lime; and it may be 

 that other changes are occurring, tending to fix free nitrogen, 

 which we are ignorant of at present. 



Conclusions based on the present state of knowledge lead 

 to the belief that the sources of nitrogenous compounds in 

 nature, brought, or capable of being brought, within the 

 reach of vegetation, are more numerous, and the supply 

 much greater, than has hitherto been supposed. There is, 

 indeed, much to support the pleasing hope that ultimately, 

 or in the near future, our knowledge will be so extended as 

 to make it easy to aid Nature in producing the chemical 

 union of nitrogen with oxygen, and utilizing the products on 

 our lands. 



The researches of a quarter of a century in the field and 

 laboratory lead me to conclude that nitrogen in available 

 forms will not long command the high prices wliich it now 

 sustains, as pi'esented in industrial products. Witliin a tliird 

 of a century we have had opened to us inexhaustible sujiplies 

 of the other two great essentials of plant-food (potash and 

 phosphoric acid) ; and it is through a clearer understanding 

 of chemical reactions and Nature's laws that nitrogen is to 

 be supplied to agriculture under such conditions as to im- 

 mensely promote the interests of husbandry. 



This essay was followed by discussions and questions th:it 

 were answered by Dr. Nichols and Professor Goessmann. 



l\Ir. Bowditch, from the Committee upon the Assignment 

 of Delegates, reported as follows : — 



